Immunolocalization and challenge studies using a recombinant Vibrio cholerae ghost expressing Trypanosoma brucei Ca(2+) ATPase (TBCA2) antigen.

Abstract

Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei spp. A parasite cation pump (Ca(2+) ATPase; TBCA2) essential for survival and cation homeostasis was identified and characterized. It was hypothesized that targeting this pump using a Vibrio cholerae ghost (VCG)-based vaccine could protect against murine T. brucei infection. mRNA and protein expression of TBCA2 was differentially expressed in blood and insect stages of parasites and immunolocalized in the pericellular membrane and the flagellar pocket of bloodstream forms. Antigen-specific antibodies and Th1 cytokines, interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were induced in rVCG-TBCA2-immunized mice and in vitro on antigen stimulation of splenic immune T cells, but the corresponding Th2-type response was unremarkable. Despite an increased median survival of 6 days in vaccinated mice, the mice were not protected against infection. Thus, immunization of mice produced robust parasite-specific antibodies but failed to protect mice against parasite challenge.

• Authors: Kiantra Ramey, Francis O Eko, Winston E Thompson, Henry Armah, Joseph U Igietseme, Jonathan K Stiles
• Journal: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene (Am J Trop Med Hyg) Vol. 81 Issue 3 Pg. 407-15 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1476-1645 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19706905 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Protozoan
• Antigens, Protozoan
• Protozoan Vaccines
• RNA, Messenger
• Calcium-Transporting ATPases

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Protozoan (blood)
• Antigens, Protozoan (immunology, metabolism)
• Calcium-Transporting ATPases (immunology, metabolism)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Protozoan Vaccines (immunology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Trypanosoma brucei brucei (enzymology)
• Trypanosomiasis, African (immunology)
• Vibrio cholerae (genetics, immunology, metabolism)